Photo: Elkman · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Brainerd than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brainerd gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #113 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2001.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Brainerd faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Brainerd’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brainerd, and Brainerd’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
B #113 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brainerd’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brainerd has less expected damage per building than 59% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Brainerd: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brainerd flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brainerd, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $15K
Brainerd isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crow Wing County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brainerd
Disasters that paid out in Brainerd itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brainerd), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$41K to the City of Brainerd for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$231K to the City of Brainerd for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Crow Wing County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Crow Wing County, 2002–2002.
Old photos of Brainerd after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brainerd archive →Brainerd and its neighbors
Brainerd is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Brainerd | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Oak Lawn Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Crow Wing Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Long Lake Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Brainerd faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Brainerd
Is Brainerd at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brainerd has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #113 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brainerd flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Brainerd since 2001, $15K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Brainerd in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Crow Wing County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brainerd?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brainerd’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Brainerd?
By FEMA money that reached Brainerd, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $231K to the City of Brainerd for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Brainerd at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Brainerd’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brainerd.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brainerd’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.